Showcasing 10 Favorite Films from 2011

Looking back at 2011, there are few films that really stood out from the rest, and I want to highlight a few of my favorite from 2011:

“The Way Back”

“The Way Back” is a film that most people never even heard of, let alone saw — it was a film I was not sure about seeing, but once I did, I couldn’t get it out of my head.  It could have been a dramatic and hard story to watch about a  group of prisoners who escape from a Russian gulag — instead, it was a miraculous story of survival and friendship.  It was moving, touching and utterly inspiring.  It is a film that more people should watch.  You’ll be surprised!

“Unknown”

Another film that took me by surprise and was vastly entertaining was “Unknown.” It cemented in my mind that Liam Neeson is an action hero and a sexy leading man.  The twists and turns were delightful and it had a superb ending.  A must-see for fans of mystery/thrillers.

“Source Code”

“Source Code” was an unexpected sci-fi love story.  It invited us to believe in the impossible and hope that it could become a reality.  The idea that love transcends time and time dimensions still captivates and this story told it beautifully.

“Super 8″

“Super 8″ is an astonishing film about a group of young teens who stumble across a mystery not-of-this-Earth.  The close focus on their perspective combined with the genuine wonder of how such a thing could be possible, encouraged us to believe that there is indeed life out in the stars that occasionally ends up on Earth.  The film charms and delights. A must-see for fans of classic Spielberg.

“The Help”

My pick for the Best Picture of 2011, “The Help” was simply put: extraordinary.  It also could have chose the dark and dramatic path, and instead focused on the absurd comedy laced with doses of sad reality.  It made for a fine concoction of fun and glistened from the Oscar-worthy performances of its entire cast.  It took my breath away and told a story that everyone deserves to see.

“Moneyball”

Another film that took me by complete surprise was “Moneyball.”  Not an avid sports fan, I was delighted to find that the story was entertaining and relatable. It made the complex world of sports statistics suddenly vital and interesting.  It is another film that simply must be seen to be believed.  I’m also rooting for Oscar nominations for Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, whose performances elevated this sports film to Oscar-contender.

“50/50″

It is hard to believe that a film about a young man finding out he has cancer could be so funny, humorous, touching and real. Thanks to the stellar performances of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen — plus, a good deal of scene stealing by Anna Kendrick — the film sails right through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.  With a charming ending, the film makes for a pleasant and heart-warming story.

“Hugo”

If you have only seen the previews, you have no idea what “Hugo” is really about.  It is about a boy who discovers a hidden message in a mechanical automaton and how fate leads him to befriend an old store keeper and his god-daughter with wondrous results.  It is heart-warming and utterly spectacular visually.  They aimed for the stars and they struck gold with how magnificent this film turned out.  A treat for everyone.

“My Week With Marilyn”

“My Week With Marilyn” is a breezy, funny, touching intimate look into the private life of a movie icon as seen through the naive eyes of a young man trying to break into the film business in England.  With healthy doses of charm, innocence and a jaw-droppingly phenomenal portrayal by Michelle Williams, the film is positively delightful.  Sprinkle in incredible performances by Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh, and the film is a must-see work of art.

“We Bought A Zoo”

Topping the list as my favorite film of 2011 is “We Bought A Zoo.” It is a family film filled with heaping amounts of family love and animals that will make you want to adopt them.  The film based on the true-story is just what you would wish for under the Christmas tree.  It makes you laugh, smile, and cry with joy.  It warms the heart and tickles the soul.  This is a family that you want to spend more time with and that you will certainly fall in love with.  Run right out and see this amazing film!

******

Other films seen in 2011 (with brief comments and impressions):

“True Grit” – Loved. Great retelling of a classic tale, with astounding performances. Hailee Steinfeld was awesome.

“No Strings Attached” – Cute story, with great chemistry between Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. Deservedly R-rated for nudity and sexual situations.

“I Am Number Four” – Intriguing teen sci-fi story with cool casting (including “Justified’s” Timothy Olyphant), but showcasing really absurd villains and has an open-ended ending.

“Just Go With It” – As to be expected Adam Sandler comedy film, with fun performance by Jennifer Aniston.

“Take Me Home Tonight” – Reminiscent of classic ’80′s films, the tale of young man trying to woo the girl of his dreams in one night. Deft comedic performance by Topher Grace.

“Jane Eyre” – Lush, romantic retelling of the class Bronte story. Starring Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska, it will take your breath away.

“The Adjustment Bureau” – Interesting story of star-crossed lovers racing against fate and time to be together with sci-fi twist. Very romantic. Great performances by Matt  Damon and Emily Blunt.

“Red Riding Hood” – Visually stunning and wonderfully portrayed by Amanda Seyfried.  Will make young teens and other romantics swoon.  Very “Twilight”-esque feeling.

“Hanna” – The story about a young girl engineered to be a weapon is adrenaline-pumping, but also a bit disturbing. Saoirse Ronan is incredible, but the villains are twisted and terrifying.

“Fast Five” – High-octane, thrill ride with fun performances by Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel. Great installment to the “Fast & Furious” franchise.

“Something Borrowed” – Charming film about stealing your best friend’s fiance.  Unexpectedly heart-warming and incredibly beautiful visually. Must-see for romantics — and with great scene-stealing performance by John Krasinski.

“Thor” -  Fun superhero film, helping to set up “The Avengers.” Natalie Portman woefully underused, but still great to see her chemistry with Chris Hemsworth.

“Pirates of Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” – Another zany adventure with Captain Jack Sparrow, alas just missing the mark.

“Hangover 2″  - Also failing to live up to its predecessor, this film is a must-skip.

“X-Men: First Class” - Breaking the trend, this prequel story was a non-stop thrill ride that leaves you clamoring for more.  Great casting with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender elevate it to being more than just another superhero film.

“Green Lantern” – An indepth look at the makings of an unexpected superhero, with some outrageous comedy and an absurd villain thrown in the mix — though with nice chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

“Another Earth” – A slow, complex sci-fi story about the discovery of another planet identical to ours and how it painfully intersects two lives and yet helps them find love and peace again.

“Monte Carlo” - Predictable romantic-comedy showcasing Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy.  A delightful film for teens and the young-at-heart.

“Harry Potter: The Deathly Hollows (Part 2)”  – Stunningly well-done end to an epic fantasy series.  A must-see for fans.

“Larry Crowne” – Light-weight film with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts as their characters overcome the daily misery of their lives and find a way to embrace a happier future.  Fun for fans.

“Captain America: The First Avenger” – Another indepth look at the makings of a superhero and setting up the film “The Avengers.”  Fantastic performances by Chris Evans and Haley Atwell.

“Crazy, Stupid, Love” -Very delightful film about finding your one true love.  Very adult comedy with sexual situations, but utterly engaging and makes you root for the unexpected heroes.  Ryan Gosling and Steve Carrell also make a great pair learning the art of wooing women.

“The Change Up” -  Clumsy film attempting to showcase appreciating what you have in life.  Very crude, rude and painful to watch.

“One Day”  - Watching these star-crossed lovers slowly find their way to destined love, as we see them only one day a year over a 15 years timespan, is intriguing and very beautifully done.  But the sad ending that will leave romantics crushed.

“Rise of the Planet of The Apes” – Well-done tale as shown through the eyes of an ape who first bonds with and rejects humans as an experimental drug raises his IQ.

“Like Crazy” - Beautiful, yet painful story of two young people who fight the red-tape of the U.S. immigration system and who struggle to maintain their everlasting love in the face of many obstacles.  Astounding performances, but rather sad and ambiguous ending.

“In Time” – Fantastic sci-fi story about humans obsessed with buying, selling and stealing time in order to survive.  The fast-paced story of star-crossed lovers turned Robin Hood time-bandits to help those less fortunate, starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried.  Also great scene stealing performance by Cillian Murphy as their nemesis.

“Immortals” – Visually stunning film about the beginning of the war among the Greek gods and the human they try to aid in his quest for vengeance against those who killed his family.  Graphically violent with stylistic gore.  Luke Evans also nearly steals the spotlight from Henry Cavill in this adrenaline-infused film.

“The Descendants” – Very sad and absurd film about a father who goes in search of his dying wife’s lover so that he can have the chance to say goodbye.  The big named stars overshadow the characters they are supposed to portray and it makes a caricature of each.

“New Years Eve” – A somber look at a group of people attempting to celebrate New Year’s Eve, with predictable results and unexpected pairings.

“Breaking Dawn” – Wonderfully romantic addition to the “Twilight” saga.  Fans will be pleased.

“The Iron Lady” - An interesting look into the life of Britain’s former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, but with the unexpectedly sad twist of her slow demise into dementia.

“J. Edgar” -  Also interesting look into the private life of former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, back-dropped by a touching love-story with his life partner.

“War Horse” - Classic Spielberg story-telling about the bond between a young man and a horse and how WWI tears them apart, taking them on a dark journey before reuniting them again.  Not an easy film to watch for animal lovers as war is not kind to animals. Otherwise, superb film with wonderful ending.

“The Ides of March” – Insightful look at the U.S. political system and how it is influenced by the mistakes of politician’s personal lives and the mechanisms use to manipulate the players.

“Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” – Fun adrenaline-thrill ride that will leave you breathless.  Ends on an unexpected touching note that will leave you wondering when the next film will be ready.  Also great haunted performance by Jeremy Renner.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” – Another fun adrenaline-rush film that offers great comedy mixed in and delightful bromance performance between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.  Nothing like the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, but still a fun interpretation which fans will enjoy.

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”- Cleverly crafted and constructed complex tale about a serial killer, an antisocial investigator and a newspaper reporter whose fates collide.  Unpleasantly graphically violent — warning to sensitive viewers. But superb ending and fantastic chemistry between Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.

Connor Jessup Talks FALLING SKIES and the Debut of His Film “Amy George” at the Toronto International Film Festival

Photo credit: Josh Madson

Like any young actor coming off a spectacular first season of a hit television series and about to debut his first independent film at the Toronto International Film Festival, Connor Jessup is a live-wire of energy and enthusiasm.  In an exclusive interview with TheTVaddict, Connor shared what it was like to portray Ben, Tom Mason’s son rescued from the Skitters, on FALLING SKIES and a bit about his passion project, the independent film “Amy George.”

"Falling Skies"

Now that the first season of FALLING SKIES has concluded, maybe you could comment on what it was like to portray a character torn between two allegiances – Ben’s love for his family and the genetic emotional-pull instilled by the Skitters?

CONNOR:  It was great! Really, really great. When a character has a conflict like that–a sort of emotional tug of war–it means that that character comes pre-stocked with depth and dimension, which makes my job a lot of fun (and a lot easier)! The hardest part of playing conflict like that is to try to avoid it coming off too angst-ridden, because that quickly becomes stupendously boring to watch.

Was there ever any doubt in your mind portraying Ben where his loyalties lie?

CONNOR:  Most definitely. There is so much mystery surrounding Ben’s circumstances, it’s hard not to doubt him. Ben knows that too, he doubts himself more than anyone else, I think. I don’t think Ben is a conscious double agent, but the effects of the harness are still very mysterious…

At what point did you find out that your character could possibly be transforming into a Skitter?

CONNOR:  When we were shooting episode 7 (“Sanctuary pt. 2”), we got the script for the following episode, which is when Anne discovers the harness inside the skitter. That was really how I found out. I didn’t have a clue for more than half the series.

How did that make you feel about it?

CONNOR:  It made me phenomenally excited! A plot twist like that is what you always hope for, because it means that your character is anything but static. When I found out about that twist, my first thought was: it’s only going to get more interesting from here on out.

Do you think Ben has any idea of his pending transformation?  If and when he does, how do you think he will react to it?

CONNOR:  I think he has a vague idea. He definitely feels different and isolated, and recognizes that those feelings are growing. The transformation is part of him, so I’m sure he has an inkling. It’s hard to guess how anyone would react to news like that, it’ll be interesting though.

Is it kind of exciting to possibly portray something other than human?  A hybrid of sorts on a sci-fi show? Or does that kind of freak you out?

CONNOR:  It’s super exciting. Anytime an actor gets lucky enough to be able to do something unique, it’s truly amazing. The prospect of all the makeup I might have to do is a bit unappealing, but other than that, I can’t wait! There are so many potential routes this character can take, I’m anxious to explore them.

What would you describe as being the most fun thing you go to do while working on the first season of FALLING SKIES?

CONNOR:  Well, I did get to dramatically save the day (or at least part of it) in the season finale, which was pretty awesome, to say the least.

What was your favorite surprise or reveal during the first season?

CONNOR:  Although the reveal that the skitters were harnessed was definitely fascinating, my personal favorite reveal was that Weaver’s daughter had died when he tried to remove the harness from her. I love reveals like that: ones that add a whole new layer of emotional complexity to a character, and that make you look at everything that that character has done up until that point in a new light.

What would you describe as Ben’s strongest strength?  What makes him special or useful?

CONNOR:  Ben certainly has his share of newfound and slightly superhuman physical strengths, but personally I think his greatest strength is his optimism. I know it sounds trite, but the ability to smile and maintain a level of cheer after what he’s been through is one of my favorite parts of the character. It shows tremendous strength of will.

If you could use one word to describe Ben, what would it be?

CONNOR:  Complex!

What was it like working with Noah Wyle, Drew Roy and Maxim Knight as your television family on the show?

CONNOR: Noah, Drew and Max are great; both on and off screen. Not only are they all talented actors, but they are also kind, passionate and interesting. We had a running series of chess games between shots. The scene where the four of us are all together (there aren’t that many of them) were among my favorites to film.

What do you think you learned first and foremost about working on FALLING SKIES during its first season?

CONNOR:  That every single day of filming offers something definitively different: new experiences, new lessons, new people, etc.

Is there anything you would be excited to see come to fruition for Ben and the other characters in the second season?

CONNOR:  For purely selfish reasons, I would love to see Ben’s newly acquired powers explored in depth (cough–fighting aliens–cough). I was always jealous of my fellow cast members who got to run around with guns and generally act badass.

"Amy George"

How did you first hear about the film “Amy George” and how did you become involved with it?

CONNOR: The writers/directors of “Amy George” happened to teach a session on filmmaking at an arts camp I went to for several years, so that’s where I met them and first heard about the project. About 6 months later, I heard about the project again and thought it sounded compelling. I got in contact with them, read the script and the rest, as they say, is history. I was very interested to learn the ins and outs of guerilla filmmaking, and producing and working on “Amy George” provided the perfect opportunity.

What did you find to be the most difficult and/or intriguing part of working on the film?

CONNOR:  The most difficult part also happens to be the most intriguing part. Due to the limitations of our budget, we had to be extremely creative in how we approached every element of the film. As you can imagine, this made some things incredibly difficult but it also made it interesting, and provided a unique creative and logistical challenge.

What would you say was the most valuable thing you learned from working on “Amy George”?

CONNOR:  I learned that with a little creativity, passion and dedication a good film can be made at any budget.

What was the most fun thing you got to do while working on this project?

CONNOR:  There’s a scene where a police car is supposed to drive by a house at night. We didn’t have a real police car, so instead, to create the illusion of the car passing, we taped red and blue police lights to a wooden board. During the scene, me and one other crewmember would sprint down the sidewalk with this makeshift lighting rig above our heads. We couldn’t stop laughing all night.

Did you participate in casting and if so, what did you look for when selecting co-stars?

CONNOR:  I was pretty heavily involved in the casting process. I sat in on most of the casting sessions and was actually the one who brought in the star of the film, Gabriel del Castillo. Casting can be fun, but it is also extremely stressful. It’s difficult, to say the least, to find actors who match the filmmaker’s vision.

Did you find that there is a key ingredient that is essential in seeking out actors for a film?

CONNOR:  It’s a mixture of things really. Ability to take direction, charisma, and an innate understanding of the script are obviously critical, but so is look. Sometimes an actor feels right immediately, and other times it is more of an ordeal to arrive at that conclusion.

How is a micro-budget film different than other independent films?

CONNOR:  Independent films, although removed from Hollywood’s studio system, can have drastically varying budgets. Some indies have millions upon millions of dollars, whereas some (like “Amy George”) only several thousand. The difference between the two is, understandably, enormous. Micro-budget films typically have a crew of less than a dozen, with scattered shooting schedules and non-union cast and crew. This makes filming considerably more difficult. However, it also provides for an unrivalled degree of creative freedom.

You seem to be drawn to some of the toughest and darkest roles, such as an alien-abductee survivor on FALLING SKIES, a rebellious teenage artist exploring the darkest sides of life in “Amy George” and a very troubled teen in a detention center in “Bye Bye Blackbird.”  What compels you or draws you to these intense roles?

CONNOR:  I feel very lucky that I have gotten the opportunity to play several interesting characters over the course of my relatively fledgling career, and I am most certainly intrigued by that type of character.  Dark and traumatized characters are, almost ironically, much more fun to play than light and innocent ones. However, it is a mistake to say that I have been actively pursuing these types of characters. I’m young and new to the business, so I don’t exactly have offers piling up on my desk. Like I said, I’ve just been lucky that the roles I’ve happened to get were on the darker and more complex end of the spectrum.

Do you find yourself seeking out more light-weight roles after a stream of dark roles, or are you thrilled to be immersed in such adult roles?

Photo credit: Josh Madson

CONNOR:  I love it! I’ll take any role that comes my way of course, but dark roles do tend to be more fun. I’d take the tortured Byronic antihero over the moral and emotional stagnancy of your typical modern protagonist any day.

What would be your dream role in the future?

CONNOR:  I’m probably too old for it now, but I’ve always wanted to play Simon from ‘Lord of the Flies’ (who also happens to be one of the inspirations for the character of Ben). Holden from ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and John the Savage from ‘Brave New World’ would also be incredibly exciting.

Finally, what would you like your fans to know about you and your work?  What should they keep an eye out for as your career expands and grows?

CONNOR:  I don’t really know where my career is going to lead me, but the one thing I can say with a fairly high degree of certainty is that I will always do what I do out of a sincere passion for this business. I know it’s an overly romantic and exhausted expression, but I really can’t think of any other way to put it: to me, a future in film truly is a dream come true.
Having already won the Spirit Award at the Brooklyn International Film Festival for “Amy George,” the spotlight will be on the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, which begins this week.  Both “Amy George” and “Bye Bye Blackbird” should be available in limited release either later this year or early next year; and FALLING SKIES will return for its second season on TNT in the summer 2012.  In the meantime, Connor continues to stay busy and is pursuing his dreams as an actor and film-maker.   Life is not just good for Connor, it is his dreams coming true!

Where to find this article:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2011/09/07/falling-skies-interview-connor-jessup/

 

The surprising and dazzling “Country Strong” opens January 7, 2011

In what promises to be one of the most surprising and entertaining films of 2011, the new film “Country Strong” opens across the nation on January 7th.

Starring Gwyneth Paltrow as a country singer attempting to make a comeback after a stint in rehab and Tim McGraw as her ambitious husband, “Country Strong” is an extraordinary film with strong performances by Paltrow, McGraw and co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester.  Directed by Tobey Maguire and written by Shana Feste, the film glistens with assurance as it provides a simultaneously gripping and enchanting story.

Adding to the powerful ambiance is the beautiful score written by Michael Brook and the array of infectious songs sung throughout the film.  The songs and surprisingly engaging musical talents of Paltrow, Hedlund and Meester lure the audience into a world where fame comes at a steep price.

In what should be heralded as an Oscar-worthy performance, Paltrow manages to convey the fragility of a woman on the edge as she claws her way back to the top of a grueling profession.  Life as a professional singer means that everyone wants a piece of you and when you are at the top it is constant struggle to maintain that financial viability and popularity.  The question becomes:  what is the price of fame and is it worth it?  For country singer Kelly Canter (Paltrow), she will do anything to get exactly what she wants – and having lived so long in the limelight, she is not willing to give it up so easily.  She is a fighter battling her personal demons in both her personal and professional lives.

Caught up in Kelly’s journey are Beau Hutton (Hedlund) and Chiles Stanton (Meester), two young aspiring country singers who are on the verge of taking the country music world by storm.  Having met Kelly while working at the rehab center, Beau takes on the role of her sponsor and protector; and Chiles is a star on the rise whose crippling stage-fright prompts Kelly’s husband to push Chiles and Beau into performing together while opening for Kelly on tour.

The chemistry between the four leads is electric and mesmerizing.  Whether it is the intimate scenes between Paltrow and McGraw as they attempt to find their way back in their fractured marriage, or the smoldering scenes between Hedland and Meester as they try to resist fate, each scene conveys an intimacy that invites viewers to savor every single moment.

Holding his own against the magnetic Paltrow, McGraw is mind-blowing.  He has the challenge of being a cold, calculating husband while still portraying a man grieving over past regrets and the wife he once knew.  The duality of the role is taxing, yet McGraw moves with such grace and confidence that one can easily see why Paltrow’s Canter refuses to give up on her marriage and the man that holds her heart.

“Country Strong” is a film that simply must be seen to be believed.  It will surprise you and dazzle you in ways you cannot anticipate.  Make a point of seeing it.  “Country Strong” opens January 7, 2011.

Related article (SLIDESHOW):

http://www.examiner.com/museum-of-tv-and-radio-in-los-angeles/the-surprising-and-dazzling-country-strong-opens-january-7-2011

Take a trip down the “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart

At a special screening at the in Los Angeles, viewers were treated to a special night as The Wrap previewed the indie film “Rabbit Hole” and provided a Q&A with two of the film’s stars Aaron Eckhart and Sandra Oh.   Both were effusive about what a blessing it was to work on such an extraordinary film and invited everyone to appreciate the story of love-lost and found.

“Rabbit Hole” is perhaps the saddest film one will see all year; but it is also perhaps one of the most beautiful.  It is a perfect balance of grief combined with hope.  It is also visually stunning as the entire film feels as if it were painted on a canvas with lush greens, whites and delicate infusion of color as necessary.  Set primarily in the magnificent, old Hampton’s style home in northern New York, the stately home showcases the parents of a young boy who met with a tragic accident.  Rather than dwell on the fresh period of grief, the film invites us into their lives eight months later.

Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart portray the grief-stricken parents, Becca and Howie, who are coping with moving-on in their lives the best way they know how.  In between suffocating grief counseling and blatant attempts to ignore the white elephant occupying their lives, Becca and Howie attempt to go about living their normal lives.  It is their jolting attempts to figure out how to do that which provides moments of levity mixed with raw pain.  But by far the most touching thread woven into the film is Becca’s attempts to reach out to the young teenager who also shares in their grief.

Portrayed by Miles Teller, Jason is a teenager haunted by a moment’s recklessness.  To watch as he and Becca bond over Jason’s half-finished comic-book shows us that they are trying to heal and to forgive themselves for the “what might have beens.”  Life at its worst is an open-wound, but at its best it is simply forgiveness and love.  Neither is so easy to attain, but with sheer determination, all three of these characters strive to heal.

Encountered along the way are Becca’s similarly grief-stricken mother, played delightfully by Dianne Wiest, and her sister, Tammy Blanchard.  As they try to surround Becca with their love, their attempts feel helpless; but even Becca understands that some love is better than no love.  On the flip-side, Sandra Oh portrays one of the grief group members who clings to her loss in order to give her life meaning.

The film does not answer the question of whether it is better to cling to what has been lost or to let go, but it does show that for each person, healing from such a grievous loss is a different path.  Kidman and Eckhart’s finely nuanced performances are scintillating.  They wear their characters’ grief with dignity and yet with compassion, simultaneously showing that underneath it all is a strong foundation of love.

“Rabbit Hole” will squeeze your heart, but it will caress it as well.  If you can appreciate a fine film which covers the spectrum of emotion, then you will enjoy “Rabbit Hole.”  “Rabbit Hole” opens in limited release on December 17, 2010.

Related article (SLIDESHOW):

http://www.examiner.com/museum-of-tv-and-radio-in-los-angeles/take-a-trip-down-the-rabbit-hole-with-nicole-kidman-and-aaron-eckhart

“Frankie and Alice” shares the amazing story of a woman with a mysterious condition

In the independent film “Frankie and Alice,” Halle Berry invites the audience on an unusual journey. In what turned out to be a 10 year struggle to bring the story of a woman with multi-personality disorder to screen, Berry’s tenacity made it a reality. In the film, piece by piece Berry introduces the audience to Frankie’s world – at a pivotal juncture just as Frankie discovers that she has been living in a fractured world; for, unbeknownst to her, she has been living with a condition known as disassociative identity disorder (DID). In lesser hands, this film would have been a darker story; but due to Berry’s passion, Frankie’s story is a beautiful portrayal of self-discovery and healing.

Set in 1973, the world simply does not recognize medical conditions as rare as Frankie’s.  Therefore, it is remarkable that she even encountered a doctor who could diagnose her condition, let alone one who willing to help her. By fate or remarkable coincidence, Frankie met Dr. Oz who ultimately helped her identify her different personalities and gain a measure of control over them.  The journey they faced together was at times funny, comical and astounding, and at others, sad and illuminating.  But the courage and determination that Frankie demonstrated revealed a strong woman who was bound to conquer her fears and live a full life.

Berry’s portrayal is mesmerizing.  She shifts between the multiple personalities with ease that is simply stunning.  She is a chameleon on screen.  Matching her ferocious  performance was co-star Stellan Skarsgard, playing the inquisitive Dr. Oz.  The pairing unexpectedly works seamlessly.  As Berry’s performance exceeds expectations with mercurial ease, Skarsgard’s performance charms with Dr. Oz’s awe at discovering such a fascinating woman. A platonic friendship forms and they tackle the mystery of Frankie’s multiple personalities.

“Frankie and Alice” is in turns a mystery, a journey of self-discovery and an unexpected friendship.  “Frankie and Alice” opens in limited release on December 17, 2010.

Related article:

http://www.examiner.com/museum-of-tv-and-radio-in-los-angeles/frankie-and-alice-is-the-amazing-story-of-a-woman-with-a-mysterious-condition

An invitation to dance into the dark with Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

At a special screening at Fox Studios, “Black Swan” awed the entire audience into stunned silence. That lasted but a moment before the room erupted with thunderous applause. This is certainly Natalie Portman’s year to make a run for Oscar gold. The film is a glorious visual and visceral achievement. The film’s imagery is both breath-taking and gut-wrenching. Feeling very much like a hidden cameras have taken the audience into the private lives of women who put their entire lives on hold for just a moment of elusive fame, “Black Swan” is in turns inviting and repulsive.

Make no mistake, “Black Swan” is a film consumed with showing the light and the dark-side of ballet. At its finest, it is magnificent. But, at its darkest, it is a brutal physical art. To make those beautiful dances look so effortless, dancers inflict great pain upon them and push themselves to the point of psychological exhaustion – and, in this story, beyond the breaking point.

In “Black Swan,” Natalie Portman portrays the emotionally-controlled ballerina, Nina, who wants nothing more in life than to dance as the White Swan in the ballet Swan Lake. But to achieve that coveted role, Nina has to tap into her sexual side in order to play the Black Swan – for the lead must be both sides of a fractured personality. Striving to be perfect in both roles, Nina’s personal life begins to mirror the dance of Swan Lake. She is the innocent seduced by power and desire. Her reality and that which she is driven to portray on stage become so intertwined that they are inseparable and she can no longer distinguish between what is real, what is part of the dance, and what is simply her projections on the world around her.

It is awesome and ferocious to behold. Nina’s passion and pursuit of perfection fractures her reality. Watching her crack into a million pieces psychologically is riveting while heart-breaking. But to watch her dance is a thing of beauty. In the end, the film will have shocked, dazzled and captivated its audience. It is not easy to watch, but it is a phenomenal film showing how a gentle spirit is caught up in the lust for infamy.

Co-starring Vincent Cassel as the daring task-master pushing Nina to explore her darkest fantasies, Mila Kunis as Lily, Nina’s sensual rival, Winona Ryder as Beth the aging prima donna ballerina, and Barbara Hershey as Nina’s over-protective mother, the film is a microscopic look into a grueling world where perfection is not just an ambition, it is a way of life. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan” shimmers under his finely-nuanced approached to the complex layers of fragility and longing encased and fighting for superiority in a tortured ballerina’s body and soul.

“Black Swan” is scheduled for limited release on December 3, 2010.

Related link (SLIDESHOW):

http://www.examiner.com/museum-of-tv-and-radio-in-los-angeles/this-an-invitation-to-dance-into-the-dark-with-natalie-portman-black-swan

The film “The King’s Speech” will leave you breathless

 

Attending a special screening of “The King’s Speech” at the Landmark Theaters in Los Angeles, it was not known what to expect. However, once the lights dimmed and a scant two hours later, everyone was applauding the magnificent cinematic achievement.

“The King’s Speech” was inspired by the true story of King George VI, who was afflicted with a speech impediment and his unusual friendship with an Australian speech therapist.

Played by Colin Firth, Prince Albert (aka the Duke of York, who later became King George VI) is a charming, acutely self-conscious man who fears public speaking to such a degree that he nearly cannot speak. Married to a persistent and adoring wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), Prince Albert was persuaded to work with an unconventional speech therapist Lionel Logue — masterfully portrayed by Geoffrey Rush.

The film focuses on the trio’s efforts to conquer Prince Albert’s stammering, which is at times comical and humorous and others, painful and debilitating. But with fate pushing him upon the death of his father, leaving his brother Edward (Guy Pearce) as the next King who quickly abdicated to marry an American divorcee, Prince Albert was determined to be the king the world expected him to be.

Watching Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter on screen is an absolute delight. In “The King’s Speech,” every moment feels like they were having the time of their lives. Despite the weighty subject matter, the film is delivered in a confection of joy and amusement. It invites the audience to feel as empowered as Prince Albert himself tackling an embarrassing speech problem. The journey is an entertaining and endearing look at a man who would be king — and his unexpected friendship with the man who talk him to speak like a king.

As a special treat for classic romance fans, making an appearance in “The King’s Speech” is Jennifer Ehle as Lionel Logue’s wife, Myrtle. Reunited with her 1995 “Pride and Prejudice” co-star Colin Firth, the film pokes fun at their prior film work in a cute scene that fans will love.

In addition to Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and Jennifer Ehle, the film also offers fantastic performances by Derek Jacobi as Dr. Cosmo Lang, Michael Gambon as Prince Albert’s father King George V, Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill, and Eve Best as the notorious Mrs. Wallis Simpson.

“The King’s Speech” is written by David Seidler, who struggled with his own childhood speech problems — and was inspired by the King who conquered his own impediment — directed by Tom Hooper, and produced by Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin. With a gifted cast, a brilliant writer and three producers determined to bring such an extraordinary story to the big screen, “The King’s Speech” is a radiant work of art. It is a must-see for filmgoers in search of a film that delivers fine entertainment.

“The King’s Speech” is scheduled for limited release on November 26, 2010. Find a way to catch this magnificent film.

Related link (SLIDESHOW): http://www.examiner.com/museum-of-tv-and-radio-in-los-angeles/the-king-s-speech-picture

 

Jenn Gotzon shares her experiences working on the supernatural mystery movie “Doonby”

From unknown spectator in David E. Kelley’s “Girl’s Club” to President Nixon’s daughter in “Frost/Nixon,” Jenn Gotzon’s career has built steadily into a career most actresses would kill for. Having put in the requisite time pounding the pavement from television show to television show without even a proper name, Gotzon has since become an indie film favorite.

During her tenure in television, Gotzon made brief appearances in “Murder 101″ with Dick Van Dyke, “CSI: NY,” and most recently as a magician’s assistant in “Pushing Daisies.” But it was when she embraced independent films that Gotzon not only got roles with names instead of titles, she got the chance to display her wide range of acting prowess.

It was in the back-to-back 2008 films “Stained” and “Frost/Nixon” that Gotzon became the girl to watch. She demonstrated that she could play polar opposites: the harrowing portrayal of a woman trapped in an oppressive society in “Stained,” and the picture perfect daughter of Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon.”

It was no wonder that Gotzon was quickly snatched up to portray the complex role of Laura Reaper in “Doonby.” In fact, Gotzon was surprised to be contacted out of the blue and offered the role. In an interview with NiceGirlsTV, Gotzon laughingly recalled that perhaps she was the first Facebook casting ever. It was through mutual friends on Facebook that Gotzon was introduced to producer Mark Joseph who promptly sent her the script and recruited her to work on “Doonby.”

Immediately Gotzon was intrigued by the premise of “Doonby” and was excited to be asked to play such a complex character. She fell in love with the film and her character Laura Reaper — the silly, sassy, outgoing daughter of a wealthy doctor. Due to her privileged background, Laura had traveled and seen the world. However, it made her worldly, jaded and an alcoholic. Even after all her privileges and experience, Laura was empty inside. It is not until a mysterious stranger, Sam Doonby, arrived in town and gave her a glimpse as to a new way of life that Laura began to feel that life had meaning again.

It was precisely all these intertwined issues that drew Gotzon to the character. She also relished the challenges of portraying an alcoholic. She even interviewed and spoke with several alcoholics in order to find out how they dealt with their disease: like how they dealt with the nuances of hiding their alcoholism and how they chose the choices that they made. Thus, in the film, when Doonby came to Laura and showed her the darkness that she was trapped in and offered to help her make a transformation, that portion of the story really appealed to Gotzon. This was not a mere two dimensional character, but one who had multi-dimensions and who would strive to reach beyond the life she found herself living.

Another fun aspect to the character was the wide range of costuming for the role. Writer/director Peter Mackenzie had hired Patricia Wolf to be the film’s costume designer. Mackenzie had apparently discovered Wolf while walking down the street in Smithville, Texas and wandering into her store. Prior to that, Wolf was already famous for her designs within the country western community and her store just happens to be based in Smithville. Despite having never working on a film before, Mackenzie hired Wolf as the film costumer designer.

Thus, it was Wolf who created Gotzon’s film wardrobe, creating the wild, tight and provocative look for Laura. Wolf also added the big jewelry and accessories and the signature “Brazilian Rocks” jeans that Gotzon wears in the film. Wolf subsequently created a new look for Laura after meeting Doonby so that it would reflect a new more modest and flowing look with more worn and tattered attire as the film progressed. For it was necessary for Gotzon’s costuming to reflect the inner struggles and changes that Laura was going through and it came across beautifully through the wardrobe pieces selected by Wolf.

Gotzon recalled fondly her time spent in Smithville, Texas where “Doonby” was filmed. She loved the people and how they embraced them so warmly. In fact, the townsfolk threw the entire cast and crew a big celebration once the film wrapped. It even had fireworks. The entire experience was wonderful and Gotzon hopes her future films will be as joyous to work on.

In addition to having such a fun character, cool wardrobe and fun filming experience, Gotzon loved working with her co-stars. She thought John Schneider, who played Sam Doonby, was amazing; that Ernie Hudson was a great sport (having endured a few “Ghost Busters” pranks which he took good-naturedly); and that Robert David was simply electric to work with due to his amazing energy.

As for “Doonby,” Gotzon feels that those who see the film will come away with a different perspective — that every life is important and that every life touches another in ways that cannot always be initially seen. Gotzon is excited to see how audiences will receive the film and hopes they love it as much as she does.

Gotzon has since been in demand and has an additional three film projects that she is working on. She feels blessed that her career is so busy and providing so many great opportunities. She is excited to see where it all goes.

Look for “Doonby” in theaters when it is released early next year.

For more insights on “Doonby,” see also the NiceGirlsTV interview with Ernie Hudson:

http://nicegirlstv.com/2010/08/30/ernie-hudson-talks-about-his-new-film-doonby/

 

Related article:http://nicegirlstv.com/2010/11/02/jenn-gotzon-talks-about-supernatural-mystery-movie-doonby/

The haunting surprise of “Never Let Me Go”

The unexpected sci-fi film raises questions that we are not yet prepared to answer

This article may contain spoilers.

October is the time of year that films one would normally never hear about are released in the box office in hopes of generating buzz before the Oscar nominations are submitted. One such film that has been generating its fair share of pre-Oscar buzz is “Never Let Me Go.” Based on previews alone, one would think it was simply a coming of age story about three childhood friends. But one review caught my attention when it mentioned that the film was based on a science fiction story. Suddenly this was a must-see film for me and I rushed out to see it.

Stop reading now if you have not seen the film and do not want to be spoiled. Okay, fair warning has been given.

“Never Let Me Go” is an astounding film that wraps the ethical, moral, political and legal dilemmas of human cloning solely for the purpose of being organ donors in a loving story of the intersecting lives of three school children. The film portrays what life would be like for clones raised as humans who are taught that their purpose in life was to stay healthy and to be prepared to enter a four-step donation process when they enter their 20’s.

Unlike the average science fiction film that would portray clones raised in sterile laboratories or hospitals and only experience the clinical side of such an existence, “Never Let Me Go” opted to share a different story. It wanted the audience to connect with the cloned children and see through their eyes what life would be like if raised in a protective school environment where they were taught they were special. For all intents and purposes, the cloned children are exactly like regular children. They eat, sleep, play and dream of the day they can see the outside world. They have hopes and dreams.

The question that “Never Let Me Go” focuses on comes as a surprise. The question is not whether we have a right to clone humans and use them as organ donors. Instead, the film asks: does a clone have a soul? Throughout the film, the Hailsham School children are told that they are special, unlike the cloning farms at other schools. In their naiveté, they believe that being “special” means that if they can prove themselves worthy, they will be granted a deferment in their donations. The child-like innocence in believing that if they can prove that they are genuinely in love – which they think is the purpose behind all the art work collected and showcased in a special gallery – that proof of genuine love will be their salvation. It will be a way for them to live a normal life.

But the true purpose of their special status and the showcased art is not so that there is a loop-hole in the donation process. The art was not being used to look into their souls; it was merely a way for the government to see if the children had souls. As sorrowfully shared by the Hailsham school headmistress, “We didn’t have to look into your souls, we had to see if you had souls at all…”

The film very cleverly avoids the difficult debate about whether we have a right to clone humans solely to be raised as living, breathing organ donors. “Never Let Me Go” simply presents a story about three children that live wonderful lives — who walk willingly into those surgical rooms to do what they were created to do. There is no defiance or plots of resistance. They were raised to accept their fate and they do it willingly. They were never told they had a right to refuse or to reject their preordained termination dates. But they lived. They had full, amazing lives. They were cared for, they had friends, and they had love in their lives.

The question that one of the children, Kathy (beautifully portrayed by Carey Mulligan), asked at the end of the film was: who is to say that after all they went through that they did not have just as rich and rewarding lives as any normal human? Were they any less because they were created through a cloning process and given termination dates? After all, they shared the exact same genetic tissue and DNA as a non-cloned human. They loved, they laughed, they dreamed and they lived. Who is to say that God did not grant them a soul as well?

It is fascinating watching a film that presents such a tortuous dilemma. Just because we can clone humans, should we? Would the clones then be entitled to the same basic human rights that we feel are inalienable to all human beings? Or because they were “made” of duplicate DNA, are they less human? Are their lives worth less — so much that we can use them simply to grow vital organs for harvesting – regardless of the fact that they cannot exist any more than we can without those organs and that their lives would end early as a result?

As quietly addressed in the film, once humanity crosses the line and determines that clones are not entitled to the same human rights, are we then free to lethally exploit them?

Organ donation has always been an electrically-charged issue. It is hard for us to conceive that a dead body’s organs should be taken and given to those in need; or that a sibling’s organs should be taken to save another child in the family. We are already at a crossroads on the ethics and morality of using another’s organs to save lives. Thus, watching cloned children being raised to be organ donors feels appalling.

“Never Let Me Go” is haunting, not because of how the cloned children are treated, but because the rest of the world assumes they have a right to exploit them. It asks us to believe that if we had the ability to live for double our life spans and could clone humans that we would feel it was our right to exploit cloned beings. The film also offers as justification for this heartless practice that because the clones lived at all, that that was all they were entitled to. They were given 20 years of life – a precious gift. Is it so wrong to then terminate their lives so that the rest of humanity may live? God help us if we ever reach a point where we are asked to make these decisions.

“Never Let Me Go” is still at this time science fiction, but we are moving closer and closer to making it real with each new scientific advancement. It will remain science fiction for only awhile longer. Then the fiction aspect will be swept aside as science makes it a reality. And our worst nightmare will become a reality: cloned children could become the organ donors of our future. Are we willing to stand on the dead bodies of cloned children?

Related article: http://thetvwatchtower.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3541&action=edit

From “Tron” to “Caprica,” Ghosts in the Machine — humans trapped in computer A.I. worlds are our worst living nightmare

As cool as all the technological advances are with computers and the creation of video/holographic worlds, there is always the fear that one day the machines will turn the tables on us and trap us in their world. Many sci-fi films have addressed this very fear. “Tron” and “Matrix” being two of the better known films; and more recently, this same fear was addressed vividly in the television series “Caprica” and “Dollhouse.”

“Tron” told the story of a man who was inadvertently digitalized and sucked into an egomaniacal A.I. computer system. The film followed his journey to find a way to both escape and destroy the A.I. system.

In “Matrix,” a man awoke to find that his entire life had been lived in a virtual world of an A.I. system’s making in order to feed off human beings as a life force. He had to simultaneously combat the A.I. in virtual and real worlds in order to free the entire human race.

So while “Tron” and “Matrix” told the reverse stories of finding one’s self trapped in a computer-generated and controlled world, “Caprica” and “Dollhouse” had a slightly different take on it.

In “Caprica,” Tamara Adama finds that because her human body was destroyed while her conscious was engaged in a computer hologram world, that she is trapped there. She has no physical body in which to return.

Then in “Dollhouse,” people volunteered to have their personas downloaded onto a disc and saved while their bodies were farmed out to the highest bidder. This also created an odd predicament of who has the rights to the physical body if the body’s remaining consciousness develops its own secondary persona. Additionally, in “Dollhouse,” they had a world where they kept disagreeable personas captive in a computer-interlinked world known as the Attic.

In all of these scenarios, it was a living-hell for the human unable to escape. While we all may dream of a perfect utopia where we can give up our physical ailments and the curse of dying before our time, it still sends shivers down our spines to imagine a world where we did not have physical control over it. To be hostage at the whims of a machine is utterly terrifying.

While “Caprica,” and the little known sci-fi pilot “Virtuality,” explored human fascination with voluntarily plugging ourselves into a virtual world for pleasure and escape from our mundane everyday lives, there is no such thing as a perfect man-made world. Computers at best are still man-made. Any programming, A.I. or otherwise, still stems from a human who is always at their core flawed. Thus, no computer-created world could be perfect.

Our fear of becoming eternally trapped in such a world and at the mercy of a machine is not without reason. A machine — even one endowed with A.I. — cannot feel human emotions, nor empathize with our fear of loss of control. In fact, A.I. would feel superior to humans because of its perceived infallibility. It would not feel encumbered by irrational emotions and flawed logic.

However, as scientists and sociologists have debated for decades, can a machine truly ever be superior to humans? Machines must be programmed to reason and make logical choices. They cannot yet independently make deductions, apply reasoning, perform problem solving, use common sense, demonstrate learning and perception, and are not capable of social intelligence or creativity. Everything a computer knows or uses was somehow put there.

Which becomes the oxymoron in the equation. A.I. is only as good as its creator. The creator’s limitations and motivations become the framework within which A.I. systems operate. The possibility of cybernetic revolt or independent uprising is nearly inconceivable unless some human put that kind of programming code into the A.I. It is not impossible that one day machines could rule the world, creating a nightmare equivalent to something out of the “Terminator” films; or even a world where everyone is plugged into a machine, like in “Matrix”; or worse yet, a world where our personas are downloaded into the computer-verse and our bodies used as biological computers, or cyborgs.

We may shudder to imagine a world so dominated by computer-rule that we become enslaved to it, yet look around you. With the proliferation of computers in the home, work place and now in every cellphone on the planet, humans are nearly continually “plugged-in” in one fashion or another. Our bodies may not yet be physically attached or our minds neuro-connected, but surely the technology is at our fingertips. How far off is it before these so-called science fictional possibilities become an everyday reality?

Isaac Asimov laid the foundation of the three basic rules to govern A.I. and prevent it from becoming the independent monster we fear. Yet as anyone who saw the film or read the book, “I, Robot” knows, rules are easy to circumvent — especially when you do not program the A.I. with those limitations. It only takes one. One A.I. without the restrictive constraints of our moral and ethical code is all it would take to conquer the world.

Our fear should not be of alien invasion, but rather of the silent invasion already at our doorstep. We have invited them into our homes. We trust them. We rely on them. They already control our lives. We are just one small step away from voluntarily giving up our physical free-will. Computers only appear as innocuous toys and tools, but they have the capacity for so much evil too. Like a gun is only as dangerous as the person holding it, a computer is only as dangerous as the person who programs it.

Despite the real world implications hanging over us, our fascination with computer-worlds is not diminished, but heightened. We are desperate to find out if a virtual world is as fantastical and wondrous as we dream it to be. Ask any sci-fi fan, “Tron” and “Matrix” did not send audiences screaming into the streets and smashing their computers; nor did “Dollhouse” and “Caprica” persuade us that we should give up our internet addiction. The symbiotic relationship between man and machine still captivates us. We truly want to believe that we can control and master any A.I. developed. But what if we are wrong?

Raise your hand if you are willing to live in an eternity in any of these computer-run worlds. Truly, would you?

Related article: http://airlockalpha.com/node/7774/tv-watchtower-from-tron-to-caprica-ghosts-in-the-machine.html